Green hydrogen skills research

Building the skills for South Africa’s green hydrogen economy

This bilateral study identifies skills development opportunities in South Africa’s green hydrogen sector and shows how collaboration between South Africa and the Netherlands can help close them. Funded by the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pretoria, it was delivered by a multi-institutional team from the University of Pretoria, Nuffic, the CSIR and Wits REAL.

Drawing on a literature review, stakeholder interviews and a collaborative workshop with South African and Dutch participants, the research maps the green hydrogen value chain, pinpoints gaps in training and curricula, and proposes three implementable project ideas that support the Just Energy Transition and the development of a green hydrogen economy.

What the research set out to do

Map skills development opportunities across South Africa's green hydrogen value chain
Use bilateral South Africa–Netherlands collaboration to address training and curricula gaps
Identify three implementable project ideas for green hydrogen skills in South Africa

2Countries collaborating

4Research institutions

3Project ideas proposed

2Funding partners

How the research was done

Desk research, stakeholder interviews and a joint South Africa–Netherlands workshop, consolidated into a report and a set of concrete project proposals.

Phase 1Literature review

A review of the evidence on green hydrogen skills, value chains and training needs in South Africa and internationally.

Phase 2Stakeholder interviews

Interviews with industry, education and government stakeholders to identify where skills gaps and training opportunities lie.

Phase 3Collaborative workshop

A joint workshop with South African and Dutch participants to test findings and shape bilateral responses.

Phase 4Project ideas

Findings consolidated into a research report and three implementable project ideas for South Africa–Netherlands collaboration.

What the project delivered

3implementable project ideas for green hydrogen skills in South Africa

Research report on skills development opportunities in the green hydrogen value chain
Water–Green Hydrogen Nexus trainingProposed collaborative project idea
Work-based Learning interventionsProposed collaborative project idea
Stakeholder workshop outcomesSouth African and Dutch participants

Why this research matters

Green hydrogen is central to South Africa’s energy transition, but the sector cannot grow without people who have the skills to build and run it. By mapping where those skills are needed and where the Netherlands can contribute, this research positions bilateral collaboration to have the greatest possible impact on green hydrogen skills development.

Just Energy Transition Investment PlanSupports South Africa's JET-IP by building the skills base a green hydrogen economy depends on.

Dutch trade agendaPositions South Africa–Netherlands collaboration where it can have the greatest impact on green hydrogen skills.

A bilateral research partnership

Delivered by a multi-institutional team spanning South Africa and the Netherlands.

University of PretoriaNufficCSIRWits REAL

Project lead

Dr. Sean Kruger

Principal Investigator

About the project

The study was led by the Centre for the Future of Work at the University of Pretoria as part of a multi-institutional South Africa–Netherlands research team, with funding from the Dutch Enterprise Agency and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pretoria.

Lead institutionCentre for the Future of Work, University of Pretoria

Research partnersNuffic, CSIR and Wits REAL

FundingDutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Pretoria